1
THE ODD WOMEN
By Lonnie Carter
Based on the novel by George Gissing
Copyright 2009
lonniety@aol.com
P.O. Box 373
Falls Village, CT
06031
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DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Twelve actors play all roles,
seven or eight women
(in order of appearance)
DR. MADDEN
ALICE MADDEN, his daughter
VIRGINIA MADDEN, his daughter
RHODA NUNN, their friend
MONICA MADDEN, his daughter
MR. BULLIVANT, a young would-be suitor of MONICA
EDMUND WIDDOWSON, a bachelor
MISS EADE, wanting MR. BULLIVANT
MARY BARFOOT, a business owner and reformer
MILDRED VESPER, a woman seeking work
EVERARD BARFOOT, Mary Barfoot’s cousin
THOMAS MICKLETHWAITE, a Mathematician
MRS. LUKE WIDDOWSON. A widow
MRS. COSGROVE, a meddler
NEWDICK, Edmund Widdowson’s friend
BEVIS, a young musician
3
TIME – 1871 and following
PLACE – London and points British.
Clevedon, England. 1871.
A pleasant, rural lane.
DR. MADDEN, walking with his daughter ALICE.
DR. MADDEN
Tomorrow, Alice, I shall insure my life for a
thousand pounds.
ALICE
It's hard to think of sums, Father.
DR. MADDEN
I find I’m in the habit of talking to you as I should
talk with your dear mother. Yet I made a point of
never discussing these matters with her.
ALICE
Two years already. Sweet mother.
DR. MADDEN
Women, old or young, should never have to think about
money.
ALICE
You've kept us from that.
4
DR. MADDEN
There will come a day when neither man nor woman is
troubled thus. Not yet awhile, no no, but human
beings are not destined to struggle for ever like
beasts of prey. Give them time; let civilization
grow.
THEY have arrived home. VIRGINIA MADDEN
greets THEM.
VIRGINIA
Tea is ready and our guest Rhoda Nunn awaits you.
DR. MADDEN
Ah, Rhoda. Pick a flower each, you two, then join us
for the latest paradox.
DR. MADDEN goes inside.
VIRGINIA
She's been there again, I'm sure.
ALICE
We shouldn't care, you know.
VIRGINIA
Oh, it's not caring. It's amusing.
ALICE
Mr. Smithson? Amusing?
5
VIRGINIA
Agressive?
ALICE
Radical.
VIRGINIA
Do you think it is
... passion?
ALICE
Paradox, you mean?
VIRGINIA
You know I don't.
ALICE
Passion. Yes.
ALICE and VIRGINIA pluck a flower each and
enter.
The Madden House.
Tea.
ALICE, VIRGINIA, DR. MADDEN, RHODA NUNN.
DR. MADDEN.
And what is your latest, Miss Nunn?
RHODA
Latest, Doctor?
6
DR. MADDEN
Paradox.
RHODA
Really, I forget. Oh, but I wanted to ask you, do you
think women ought to sit in Parliament?
DR. MADDEN
Why, no, if they are there at all, they ought to
stand.
RHODA
Mr. Smithson thinks there ought to be female members
of Parliament.
DR. MADDEN
Does he? Have the girls told you there's a
nightingale in Mr. Williams' orchard?
RHODA
Really, Doctor.
DR. MADDEN
Or was it hens? A kind of Parliament of Fowls.
Even RHODA finds this funny, though she is
the last to give in.
We hear a child laughing.
DR. MADDEN
Our dear Monica plays above. Please bring her,
Virginia.
7
VIRGINIA
Yes, Father.
VIRGINIA leaves.
DR. MADDEN
You're all my dears, but Monica is our beauty.
To our beauty.
->
RHODA toasts the tea cup as if it were wine.
The movements of the MADDENS are slight and
uncomfortable, but THEY and RHODA clink
glasses.
RHODA
Will you read to us from Tennyson?
DR. MADDEN
I'll quote. And you'll hear how serious I can be.
Let
And
Let
All
us alone. Time driveth onward fast,
in a little while our lips are dumb.
us alone. What is it that will last?
things are taken from us.
VIRGINIA enters.
VIRGINIA
Father, Farmer Kingston has been seized ill. You're
to come at once.
DR. MADDEN
May the Lord not take Farmer Kingston from us.
8
Very sorry, girls. Tell James to put the horse in,
sharp as he can.
VIRGINIA and DR. MADDEN leave oppositely.
ALICE
How is your mother, Miss Nunn?
RHODA
Not well enough to leave the house today, but of
course she prefers to be left alone.
ALICE
Are you sure she prefers it?
RHODA
Why would Mother say what she doesn't mean? I must be
going too. I'll walk along the seafront. Perhaps I'll
meet Mr. Smithson and his daughter.
ALICE
Poor dear, how is she?
RHODA
Consumptive.
Later that evening. Darkness. VIRGINIA'S
shriek of pain. ALICE.
VIRGINIA rushes in.
VIRGINIA
It's father!
9
THEY stand terrified.
4. ADRIFT.
.
Small room in London, 1888
ALICE and VIRGINIA.
ALICE
In a week Monica will be twenty-one. A book, perhaps
we should buy her a book. Something inspirational.
VIRGINIA
A copy of 'The Christian Year'. A verse at bedtime
and in the morning might be strength to the poor
girl.
ALICE
Thank Heaven, she is sure to marry.
VIRGINIA
Yes, of course.
ALICE
The promise of her beauty is fulfilled. Wouldn't you
say?
VIRGINIA
Someone will take notice of her.
ALICE
Soon.
And soon I shall hear of something.
10
VIRGINIA
I am uneasy on my own account.
ALICE
Whatever happens, we must never entrench upon our
capital.
VIRGINIA
Oh never. If we grow old and useless...
ALICE
If no one will give us even food and lodgings for our
services…
VIRGINIA
It will just keep us from the workhouse.
ALICE
It will just keep us...
THEY take up their reading.
The next day. ALICE in her chair. SHE has
a dreadful headache. VIRGINIA enters with
a letter.
VIRGINIA
What do you think? It's Miss Nunn!
ALICE
Miss Nunn! Never! How could she have got the address?
VIRGINIA
"Dear Miss Madden, I've just learned you're in London and
11
that your elder sister is with you and that Monica is
somewhere about. Do let us see each other after all these
years. My kindest regards, Rhoda Nunn."
We shall go to her, of course.
ALICE
Of course.
VIRGINIA
And this morning we're buying 'The Christian Year'.
ALICE
You go, please. It's my head.
VIRGINIA
Poor Alice.
ALICE
No, no, have a sense of holiday. Walk a very long
way.
VIRGINIA
I shall.
VIRGINIA walks in Trafalgar Square.
SHE is exhilarated.
SHE enters a pub. A few men at the counter.
SHE moves as far away from them as possible.
A barmaid.
VIRGINIA
Kindly give me a little brandy.
SHE is given same, adds a little water and
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drinks.
ALICE and VIRGINIA'S room.
ALICE in her chair.
ALICE
Virgie, we never took account of illness.
VIRGINIA
Oh, we must keep that off.
ALICE
Yes, I must struggle against it.
VIRGINIA
It's a good sign to be hungry.
Here, 'The Christian Year'.
SHE hands ALICE the book.
The study of RHODA NUNN. Several
large bookcases, well-equipped writing
table, bunches of cut flowers. RHODA and
VIRGINIA in conversation.
RHODA
When my mother died, I determined to have done with
teaching. Half my teaching was a sham - a pretence of
knowing what I neither knew nor cared to know. I had gone
into it like most girls, as a dreary matter of course.
VIRGINIA
Like poor Alice, I'm afraid.
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RHODA
I went to Bath to learn everything I could that would
help me out of school life. Short-hand, bookkeeping,
commercial correspondence. It was a move toward London
and I couldn't rest ti1 I had come the whole way. I
learned typewriting and the lady who taught me asked me
in the end to stay as her assistant. This is her house
and here I live with her.
VIRGINIA
How energetic you've been!
RHODA
How fortunate perhaps. This lady, Miss Barfoot, has
private means sufficient to combine benevolence with
business.
VIRGINIA
What a wonderful person!
RHODA
It occurs to me she might help Monica.
Are your circumstances still the same?
VIRGINIA
Our capital? We've never entrenched upon it.
RHODA
Wouldn't it be possible to make better use of that money?
Eight hundred pounds, I think? To secure independence?
VIRGINIA
The very thing we were saying the other day.
RHODA
A preparatory school for instance? At Clevedon?
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VIRGINIA
I beg for time to think it over.
RHODA
Don't think me rash.
VIRGINIA
No, no.
RHODA
Or rushing VIRGINIA
Not at all.
RHODA
Still
- independence.
VIRGINIA
I beg for time.
RHODA
Will you sit down and eat with me?
VIRGINIA
NO, no.
RHODA
Some meat?
VIRGINIA
Vegetarianism.
15
RHODA
I see. A slice?
VIRGINIA
I'm sure it's good.
Come join me. And
flowers. Let them
should be so glad
am always at home
Some beef?
RHODA
then you must take some of these
be my message to your sister. And I
to see Monica. Sunday is a good time. I
in the afternoon.
MONICA, twenty-one today, walking freely in a
quiet cross-street. SHE is delighted with that
freedom until a young man approaches HER.
YOUNG MAN
Miss Madden
-
MONICA
What is it, Mr. Bullivant?
BULLIVANT
What a beautiful morning? Are you going far?
MONICA
Some distance. I shall take the omnibus at the end of
this street. Where shall you spend the day?
BULLIVANT
I really don't know. -
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MONICA
Miss Eade is going to Richmond, but she won't enjoy
it very much if she had to go alone. As you have no
particular engagement BULLIVANT
I couldn't ask Miss Eade MONICA
O, I think you could. She would like it. Now I must
say goodbye. There comes the bus.
The bus comes. HE follows HER on.
Omnibus.
BULLIVANT
I positively don't know how I shall spend the
morning. I must be with you a few minutes longer.
MONICA
I rhink when I have begged you not to BULLIVANT
I try not to worry you, but think of my position. You
have told me there is no one else who - whose rights I
ought to respect. Feeling as I do, it isn't in human
nature to give up hope.
MONICA
Then will you let me ask you a rude question?
BULLIVANT
Any question.
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MONICA
How would it be possible for you to support a wife?
BULLIVANT
It wouldn't be possible for some time. I have nothing
but my wretched salary. But everyone hopes.
MONICA
What reasonable hope have you?
BULLIVANT
If I were lucky enough to be taken on as a buyer, I might
make many hundreds.
MONICA
And you would ask me to wait on and on for one of these
wonderful chances?
BULLIVANT
If I could move your feelings, Miss Madden MONICA
A long engagement, where everything remains doubtful for
years, is so wretched that? Oh, if I were a man, I would
never try to persuade a girl into that!
Sufficient pause.
BULLIVANT
I will say good morning, Miss Madden.
HE gets off the omnibus.
ALICE and VIRGINIA'S room.
VIRGINIA and MONICA embracing.
18
ALICE,propped up on pillows.
VIRGINIA
Monica, you are nice and early. Poor Alice has a dreadful
cold and one of her very worst headaches.
ALICE
Don't kiss me, darling. How well you look.
VIRGINIA
I'm afraid she doesn't look well, perhaps a little more
color than of late. Monica dear, many many happy returns
of the day.
VIRGINIA gives HER the book.
MONICA
It's no use saying you oughtn't to spend money on me..
What a nice "Christian Year". 1'11 do my best to read
some of it - now and then.
VIRGINIA
You would never guess whom I have seen.
MONICA
Whom?
VIRGINIA
Miss Nunn, and nothing more fortunate could have
happened. My dear, she is wonderful. She's taken up
typewriting and lives with the woman who taught her,
a most beneficent lady.
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MONICA
How long does it take one to learn one of those
machines?
VIRGINIA
We didn't speak of details. You will hear everything
yourself. And she suggested all sorts of ways in
which we could make better use of our invested money.
She is quite like a man in energy and resources.
MONICA
What sorts of ways?
VIRGINIA
Like a man?
MONICA
Better use of our invested money.
VIRGINIA
Nothing is decided yet. Let us first of all put you in
comfort and security.
RHODA NUNN's rooms. RHODA, MONICA
with the parcel in her lap.
RHODA
I should never have known you. You look like a fever
patient just recovering. Your sister gave me a
shocking account of how you live.
MONICA
The work is very hard.
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RHODA
Preposterous. Why do you stay at such a place?
MONICA
I' m getting experience.
RHODA
To be used in the next world?
THEY laugh.
RHODA
Tell me something more about the "experience".
MONICA
Some of us get diseases. Sometimes, on Saturday
night, I lose all feeling in my feet. I have to stamp
on the floor to make sure it's still under me.
RHODA
Haven't you an early closing day?
MONICA
They had before I went there, but the agreement broke
down.
RHODA
A pity the establishment doesn't follow suit.
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MONICA
If you knew how terribly hard it is for girls to find
a place RHODA
I wish it were harder, I wish girls fell down and
died of hunger in the streets, instead of creeping to
their garrets and the hospitals. I should like to see
their dead bodies collected together in some open
place for the crowd to stare at.
MONICA
Perhaps then people would try to reform things.
RHODA
Perhaps they might only congratulate each other that
a few of the superfluous females had been struck off.
Don't you think you've had about enough?
MONICA
I'm not clever, Miss Nunn, I never did much at school
and the time for that has gone by.
RHODA
There's a good deal of employment for women who learn
to use a typewriter. Miss Barfoot takes pupils.
There is a pause. MONICA does not fill the
silence.
Will you try?
22
MONICA
Miss Nunn, what is the object for which your friend
works?
RHODA
How shall I put it? To make women hard-hearted.
MONICA
You mean you like to see them live unmarried.
RHODA
Oh, I'm not so severe! But do you know there are half a
million more women than men in this happy country of
ours?
MONICA
Half a million!
RHODA ( laughing)
So many odd women - no making a pair of them. When one
woman vanishes in matrimony, the reserve offers a
substitute for the world's work. True, they are not all
trained yet - far from it. I want to help in that - to
train the reserve.
MONICA
But married women are not idle.
RHODA
Not all of them. Some cook and rock cradles.
But let us talk of old days down in Somerset, our rambles
about Cheddar Cliffs, or at Glastonbury.
MONICA
Yes.
23
RHODA
Will you come and see Miss Barfoot?
.
MONICA
Yes.
RHODA
She will be inviting you.
MONICA
Thank you, Miss Nunn.
RHODA
Regards to your sisters.
MONICA
Thank you, Miss Nunn.
THE WORLD’S WORK. THE RESERVE.
MONICA on the street.
SHE takes a card from
her bag.
MONICA
Edmund Widdowson.
A park with water.
MONICA and a Man come to the water.
Rowboats.
The Man selects one and gets in first. THEY
sit.
HE takes off his hat, and puts on a little
traveling cap. SHE sits with the parcel on
her lap. HE rows. SHE holds the tiller.
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The Man
This is my birthday. I remembered it an hour ago.
Strange that such a treat should have been provided
for me. Yes, I am very idle. A year and a half ago my
only brother died. He left me what I regard as a
fortune.
MONICA pulls the tiller.
The left hand a little.
SHE pulls.
That's right.
Many days I do not leave home. I am fond of reading.
Do you care for books?
MONICA unfolds the parcel.
I thought it was a book!
MONICA
When you told me your name, Mr. Widdowson, I ought
perhaps to have told you mine. It's written here. My
sisters gave me this today.
EDMUND WIDDOWSON
What? It is your birthday?
MONICA
Yes. I am twenty-one.
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EDMUND
Will you let me shake hands with you? Oh, I remember
this book very well. My mother used to read it on
Sundays. Twenty years ago and more. I am more than
twice your age, Miss Madden.
HE takes up rowing again, this time more
vigorously. I don't think you are very well
contented with your life in that house of
business.
MONICA
NO, I'm not.
EDMUND
You are very strong to endure those hardships.
I began to earn my bread when I was fourteen. Up till
nineteen I had been little more than an errand and office
boy, and all through the after years I never got a much
better position.
MONICA
You seem to - to be the kind of man who would make your
way.
EDMUND
Do I? But I never found what my way was to be. I have
always hated office work and business of any kind. If I
happen to be in the City when all the clerks are coming
away from business, I feel an inexpressible pity for
them. I feel I should like to find two or three of the
hardest driven, and just divide my superfluous income
between. Certainly I desire to be goodnatured. But I
don't easily make friends.
MONICA
Don't you think we ought to be turning back, Mr.
Widdowson?
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EDMUND
Yes, we will. I'm sorry the time goes so quickly. When I
dared to speak to you last Sunday, I had only the
faintest hope that you would grant me your acquaintance.
You can't, I am sure, repent of having done me that
kindness.
MONICA
One never knows. I doubted whether I ought to talk to a
stranger.
EDMUND
Right, quite rightly, but something in your face
compelled me to speak. will you let me see you next
Sunday? If I write a line to you on Friday MONICA
Please let me refuse for next Sunday. The one after,
Perhaps MONICA walking home.
A showily-dressed woman approaches HER.
WOMAN
I want to speak to you, Miss Madden. Where did you go
with Mr. Bullivant this morning?
MONICA
Nowhere.
WOMAN
I saw you both get into the bus in Kennington Park Road.
MONICA
Did you? I can't help it if he happened to be going the
same way.
27
WOMAN
I thought you was to be trusted. It's nothing to me MONICA
You behave very foolishly, Miss Eade. I can only tell you
I have never thought again of Mr. Bullivant since he left
the bus somewhere in Clapham Road.
MISS EADE
Don't be so sharp with me, Miss Madden. I don't say as
you wanted him to go in the bus with you. But you might
tell me what he had to say.
MONICA
I did what I could for you. I told him that if he asked
you to go up the river with him, I felt sure you wouldn't
refuse.
MISS EADE
Oh, you did! I don't think it was a very delicate thing
to say.
MONICA
I myself don't think it was very delicate, but haven't
you worried me to say something of the kind?
MISS EADE
Never! And what did he say, when you'd said that? What
did he say about me, dear?
MONICA
Nothing. I would have more pride.
MISS EADE
I do wish you'd find someone to go out with.
28
MONICA
I have.
MONICA continues walking, leaving MISS EADE to
wonder.
A dormitory room. MONICA prepares for bed.
Two female voices over the dimness.
MONICA doesn't hear them, or doesn't pay
attention.
First
She's picked up some feller today.
Second
Or else she's had him all along.
First
Oldish, I should say.
Second
You can trust Miss M to keep her eyes open. She's one of
the sly and quiet ones.
First
Oh, is she? She's just one of those as gets made a fool
of - that's my opinion.
MONICA in bed. Her eyes wide open.
The home of MARY BARFOOT.
MARY, RHODA, ALICE, VIRGINIA, MONICA.
The MADDEN sisters are leaving.
29
MARY
You and I must be friends, Monica. We are both dark but
comely.
There is laughter as the MADDENS leave.
Poor things! What can we possibly do for the older ones?
RHODA
Virginia isn't quite so depressing - but how childish.
MARY
All so childish, Monica is a dear little girl; it seemed
absurdity to talk to her about business. Of course, she
must find a husband. Here's another matter. Read this.
MARY hands RHODA a letter
RHODA
An answer in two lines - with a cheque enclosed, if you
see fit.
MARY
That's a letter of despair.
RHODA
She ran off to be the mistress of a married man. You
would hardly dream of taking her back again.
MARY
Why not?
RHODA
You'll never do any good with her and she isn't a
suitable companion for the girls she would meet here.
30
MARY
There's no evil in her.
RHODA
She yielded.
MARY
To a grievous temptation.
RHODA
Will it bear putting into words?
MARY
I think it will. She fell in love.
RHODA
For what isn't that phrase responsible?
MARY
Rhoda, let me ask you a question.
RHODA
I understand perfectly well what the phrase means.
MARY
That is no answer, my dear.
RHODA
Yes. When I was fifteen.
MARY
Not since?
31
RHODA
Thank Heaven, no!
MARY
For once I shall neglect your advice.
RHODA
And at a stroke. change the whole character of your work.
This Miss Bella Royston represents the profitless
average. When she rushed off to perdition, ten to one she
had in mind some idiot heroine of a book. It is your work
to train and encourage girls in a path as far as possible
from that of the husband-hunter.
MARY
You go beyond practical zeal. But I will help Miss
Royston in other ways. It's quite true she isn't to be
relied upon.
RHODA
The pity is that her degradation can't be used as an
object lesson for our other girls.
MARY
You're mistaken in your ideas of how the mind is
influenced. The misery of Bella Royston would not inthe
least affect any other girl's way of thinking about the
destiny of her sex.
'
RHODA
The ideal MARY
Must be human. Do you think now that we know one single
girl who in her heart believes it is better never to love
and never to marry?
32
RHODA
We know several who will not dream of marrying unless
reason urges them as strongly as inclination.
MARY
Pray, whoever distinguished in such a case? You, when you
were fifteen? Did you? That once?
RHODA
A grievous temptation.
MARY
Will it bear putting into words.
RHODA
I think it will.
SHE does not put it into words.
Street.
MONICA walking swiftly home. Late at night.
EDMUND is seen.
EDMUND
Miss Madden?
MONICA
Why are you here at this time?
EDMUND
Not by chance. I had a hope I might see you.
MONICA
I mustn't wait to talk now. It's very late.
33
EDMUND
Very late indeed. It surprised me to see you.
MONICA
Surprised you? Why should it?
EDMUND
I mean that it seemed so very unlikely - at this hour.
MONICA
Then how could you have hoped to see me?
EDMUND
I didn't really think of seeing you. I wished to be near
the place where you were, that was all.
MONICA
You saw me come out, I dare say.
EDMUND
No.
MONICA
If you had, you would have known that I came to meet two
ladies, my sisters. I walked with them to the station,
and now I am going home. You seem to think an explanation
necessary.
EDMUND
Do forgive me! Only an hour ago I posted a letter to you.
MONICA
I must say goodnight. I must indeed.
34
EDMUND
Please, do give me one moment!
MONICA
I can't stay - I can't - goodnight.
The dormitory room. MONICA stands looking out a
window. One bed is occupied by MISS EADE.
MISS EADE
Who's that? You? What are you doing here?
MONICA
I wanted to see if someone was standing outside.
MISS EADE
You mean him?
MONICA nods.
I couldn't hold myself up, and I had to come home at
eight o'clock. There's such pains all down my back too. I
shan't stay at this beastly place much longer. I don't
want to get ill, like Miss Radford. Well, have you seen
him?
MONICA
He's gone. Good night.
MONICA leaves.
MONICA reads the letter SHE has written
to EDMUND
.
35
MONICA
Dear Mr. Widdowson,
I am very sorry it will be impossible for me to see you
next Sunday. My eldest sister is leaving London for a
position with a family, and Sunday will be my last day
with her for a long time. Please do not think I make
light of your kindness. When I am settled in my new life,
I hope to be able to let you know how it suits me.
EDMUND WIDDOWSON has written MONICA a letter
and now reads phrases of it to us.
EDMUND
Dear Miss Madden,
My chief purpose in writing again so soon
-- any
way of confessing my fault
your acquaintance
refinement
-- the
-- desire
-- the
best
man who had newly made
life unsuited to one of your
for you a position very different
thank you for the promise
would go any distance
-- shall
-- do
forgive
you not henceforth
-- and
believe
yours.
Room in boardinghouse.
A Young Woman answers the door to MONICA.
MONICA
You are Miss Vesper?
MILDRED VESPER
Yes, very pleased to see you, Miss Madden.
--- I
-- Ever
36
MONICA
I feel ashamed to intrude upon you.
MILDRED
I've been trying to find someone to share my rent. Miss
Barfoot was full of your praises, and indeed I think we
may suit each other. The street is a very quiet one.
Pleasant odors - country odors - reach us on market day.
MONICA
I come from Somerset.
MILDRED
And I from Hampshire. I suspect all the really nice girls
in London are country girls.
MONICA
Country girls at Miss Barfoot’s?
MILDRED
Several. But none more simple than I was three years ago.
She made more of me than any one else could have done.
MONICA
Do you like Miss Nunn?
MILDRED
I think very highly of her. Her zeal makes her exaggerate
now and then, but it is so splendid.
I haven't it myself - not in that form.
MONICA
You mean MILDRED
I feel a shameful delight when I hear of a girl getting
37
married. It's very weak, no doubt; perhaps I shall
improve as I grow older. But I suspect Miss Barfoot is
not without that same weakness…
MONICA
A shameful delight.
THEY share laughter.
MONICA and EDMUND on the street.
EDMUND
You know I want you to be my wife. Have you any doubt of
me?
MONICA
No doubt whatever of your sincerity.
EDMUND
You wish to know more of me, personally?
MONICA
I must know you much better. Things are so badly
arranged. It wasn't possible for us to be introduced by
any one who knew us both. I don't blame you for a moment;
it would be ridiculous to blame you. Yet we have gone
against the ordinary rule, and people would make us
suffer for it – or me, at all events.
EDMUND
Let us disregard people then. Let us go on seeing each
other. I love you will all my soul, and your rules shall
be mine.
38
MONICA
Will you cease coming to look for me when I don't know of
it?
EDMUND
I promise you.
MONICA
I will see you once every week. But I must still be
perfectly free.
EDMUND
Perfectly! I will only try to win you as any man who
loves a woman.
The rooms of MARY BARFOOT. She and
her cousin EVERARD.
MARY
No one had told me of your return.
EVERARD
Because no one knew. You were the first of my kinsfolk to
whom I wrote.
MARY
Much honour, Everard. You look very well.
EVERARD
I'm glad to say the same of you. Yet I hear that you work
harder than ever.
MARY
Who says?
39
EVERARD
My brother Tom.
MARY
I thought he'd forgotten me.
EVERARD
He promised to be a genius, but marriage has blighted the
hope, I fear.
MARY
The marriage was a very absurd one.
EVERARD
Are you living alone?
MARY
A lady lives with me - Miss Nunn.
EVERARD
A partner in your activity.
MARY
She gives he valuable help.
EVERARD
I must hear all about it.
RHODA has entered.
MARY
Miss Nunn, this is my cousin, Everard Barfoot.
40
EVERARD
Miss Nunn.
RHODA
Mr. Barfoot.
THEY shake hands.
EVERARD
We were speaking of absurd marriages.
RHODA
Yes?
EVERARD
I have a friend Poppleton in a lunatic asylum.
MARY
Yes, I heard. Business troubles.
EVERARD
You never met Mrs. Poppleton. The dullest woman he could
have found. Only the flattest literalism was intelligible
to her. He would say something that convulsed me with
laughter but the Mrs., who no more understood the nature
of a pun than of the binomial theorem, stared at me with
those eyes. Shall I ever forget her "Oh yes, I see"?,
when obviously she saw nothing but the wall at which she
sat staring.
MARY
There's another friend of yours whose marriage has been
unfortunate. I hear that Mr. Orchard has forsaken his
wife and without intelligible reason.
41
EVERARD
There too I can offer an explanation. On my last walk
with him, she came upon us and discoursed unceasingly on
one subject - the difficulty she had with her domestic
servants. Ten or twelve of these handmaidens were
marshalled before our imagination; their names, their
ages, their antededents, the wages they received, were
carefully specified. We listened to a catalogue raisonne
of the plates, cups 'and other utensils that they had
broken. Unbrokenly for some two hours. I am strictly
truthfu1. He assured me his choice lay between flight and
suicide.
RHODA
Why will men marry fools?
EVERARD
Narrow social opportunity. They must marry someone, and
in the case of most men choice is seriously restricted.
RHODA
I should have thought that to live alone was the less of
two evils.
EVERARD
Men like these we've been speaking of haven't a very
logical mind.
RHODA (to MARY)
I will go to the library for a bit.
RHODA leaves.
MARY
What are you going to do?
EVERARD
To do?
Beyond enjoying life?
Nothing.
42
MARY
At your age?
EVERARD
Young? Old? Which?
MARY
Young. Social usefulness.
EVERARD
I've done my share. Most men don't toil for ideals, but
to keep themselves alive, or to get wealth. A vast amount
of unnecessary labor.
MARY
You've refined your arguments.
EVERARD
Also my nature.
MARY
When it comes to self-indulgence …
EVERARD
Yes? You stand at the social point of view. You have a
consistent theory. I, no theory at all.
MARY
You do.
EVERARD
I do. I have a right to make the most of my life.
43
MARY
No matter at whose expense?
EVERARD
You're quite mistaken. My conscience is a tender one.
Miss Nunn makes an impression. More one of the new women
than yourself, isn't she?
MARY
Oh, I'm very old-fashioned. Women have thought as I do
at any time in history. Miss Nunn has much more zeal for
womanhood militant.
EVERARD
I should delight to talk with her. Really, you know, I'm
on your side.
MARY
Sophist! You despise women.
EVERARD
The typical woman. You permit me to call upon you now and
then?
MARY
Except Wednesday evening. Then we are always engaged.
RHODA enters.
EVERARD
Wednesday the forbidden evening? I must be going. Cousin?
Miss Nunn?
HE leaves.
44
RHODA
You're sure you haven't exaggerated Mr. Barfoot's
failings?
MARY
I didn't exaggerate.
RHODA
His father disinherited him?
MARY
Practically. Everard went to Eton. It made him a furious
radical. Instead of imitating the young aristocrats, he
hated and scorned them. He had got it into his head that
only some such work as engineering was worthy of a man
with his opinions. He would rank with the classes
that keep the world going with their sturdy toil;
that was how he spoke. And from eighteen to thirty
he stuck to a profession which I'm sure he loathed.
RHODA
This puts him in another light.
MARY
If there were no vices to add. I always regarded him
as a boy; then came the shock - a shock that had a
great part in shaping my life.
RHODA
He is an outrageous profligate?
MARY
He was vicious and cowardly - I can't say anymore.
RHODA
Does he aim at nothing whatever?
45
MARY
He won't admit any ambition.
RHODA
After all, what ambition should he have? A woman with
brains and will may hope to distinguish herself in
the greatest movement of our time - that of
emancipating her sex. But what can a man do, unless
he has genius?
MARY
You're right. Men have only material progress to
think about. But we - we are winning souls propagating a new religion, purifying the earth!
RHODA
Yes, yes, yes!
MARY & RHODA
Thank God we are women!
The rooms of THOMAS MICKLETHWAITE,
mathematician. EVERARD and MICKLETHWAITE.
In medias rea.
EVERARD
By the very train which took me back to London, this
girl, Amy Drake, also traveled and alone. I saw her
at Upchurch Station, but we didn't speak, and I got
into a smoking carriage. We had to change at Oxford,
and there, as I walked about the platform, Amy put
herself in my way, so that I was obliged to begin talking
with her. This behavior rather surprised me. But perhaps
it was a sign of innocent freedom in the intercourse of
men and women. She managed to get me into the same
46
carriage with herself, and on the way to London we were
alone. You foresee the end of it.
MICKLETHWAITE
From the moralist's point of view...
EVERARD
You're a mathematician.
MICKLETHWAITE
...you are to blame.
EVERARD
But I had no moral pretensions, and it was too much to
expect that I should rebuke the young woman and preach
her a sermon.
MICKLETHWAITE
Then she betrayed you to the people at Upchurch, and, I
am quite sure, meant from the first to do so.
EVERARD
Imagine the outcry. I had committed a monstrous crime had
led astray an innocent maiden had outraged hospitality
and so on. My cousin will never forgive me. And I suspect
she had told her friend Miss Nunn all about me.
MICKLETHWAITE
I dare say, she needs no protection against you.
EVERARD
There would be something piquant in making vigorous love
to her just to prove her sincerity. If she were rich, I
think I could do it without scruple.
47
MICKLETHWAITE
You seem to be taking it for granted that this lady would
respond to your lovemaking.
Well, my opinion remains the same. Be quick and find some
worthy woman. It will be better for you.
EVERARD
And do you suppose that I could marry on four hundred and
fifty a year?
MICKLETHWAITE
Heavens! Why not?
EVERARD
Quite impossible. A wife might be acceptable to me;
but marriage with poverty? I know myself and the
world too well for that.
MICKLETHWAITE
Poverty! Four hundred and fifty pounds!
EVERARD
Grinding poverty - for married people.
MICKLETHWAITE
If you were a man of enterprise, you would double or
treble it. I put a high value on money. I wish to be
rich!
EVERARD
You're either mad or you're going to get married.
MICKLETHWAITE
Her name's Fanny and we've been engaged for seventeen
years!
48
EVERARD
Congratulations! Ah, to have reached the age of
discretion.
MICKLETHWAITE
When I was scoundrel enough to tell her of my
feeling, she didn't reject me.
EVERARD
Why scoundrel?
MICKLETHWAITE
I hadn't a penny.
EVERARD
Blessed poverty. The last thing a man should want is
an Angel in the house. And yes, I take it for
granted.
MICKLETHWAITE
That Miss Nunn will respond to your lovemaking?
EVERARD
Just to prove her sincerity.
EDMUND WIDDOWSON.
EDMUND
My dearest Monica,
you
- all
I can do
- dreadfully
-
uneasy
- why
haven't
49
I implore - they come to my lips
beautiful little girl -
- my
dear sweet
The rooms of MARY BARFOOT. MARY, RHODA,
EVERARD. In media res.
EVERARD
And you seriously think, Miss Nunn, that by
persuading as many women as possible to abstain from
marriage, you will improve the character of men?
RHODA
I leave no hope of sudden results, Mr. Barfoot. When
All women, high and low alike, are trained to selfrespect, then men will regard them in a different
light, and marriage may be honorable to both.
EVERARD is silent.
MARY
Everard, do you know Somerset at all?
EVERARD
Never was in that part of England.
MARY
Miss Nunn is going to take her holiday at Cheddar and
we have been looking over some photographs.
RHODA
It was my playground as a child. One of the sleepiest
spots in England. Nobody pulls down or builds; nobody
50
opens a new shop; nobody thinks of extending a trade.
A delicious place.
EVERARD
Surely you find no pleasure in that kind of thing?
RHODA
Oh yes, at holiday time. I shall doze there a
fortnight and forget all about the "so-called
nineteenth century".
EVERARD
I can hardly believe it. There will be a disgraceful
marriage at this beautifu1old church, and the sight
of it will exasperate you.
RHODA
Oh, it will be a marriage of the golden age! Perhaps
I shall remember the bride when she was a little
girl; and I shall give her a kiss, and pat her on the
rosy cheek, and wish her joy. And the bridegroom will
be such a good-hearted simpleton, unable to pronounce
f and g. I don't mind that sort of marriage a bit.
EVERARD
There's a flower grows among the rocks called the
cheddar pink. Do you know it?
RHODA
Oh, very well. I'll bring you some.
EVERARD
Will you? That's very kind.
51
MARY
Bring me a pound or two of the cheese.
EVERARD rises to go.
EVERARD
I care nothing about the cheese. That's all very well
for a matter-of-fact person like cousin Mary, but I
have a strong vein of poetry.
HE and RHODA shake hands.
You really will bring me the flowers?
RHODA
I will make a note of it.
EVERARD bows slightly to both and leaves.
A short silence.
RHODA
And how is Monica Madden?
MARY
She's not in danger. I'm visiting her tomorrow. I
wish I knew some honest man who would be likely to
fall in love with little Monica. In spite of you, my
dear, I would devote myself to making the match.
RHODA
Oh, I would help. She's fit for nothing else, I'm
afraid. We mustn't look for any kind of heroism in
Monica.
52
The rooms of MONICA and MILDRED VESPER.
MILDRED
To respect, and even like, a man, isn't at all the
same as loving him.
MONICA (offstage)
I said you would respect and like him. I don't want
you to love him.
MILDRED
I never loved anyone yet, dear, and it's very
unlikely I ever shall, but I think I know the signs
of the feeling.
MONICA comes behind MILDRED and leans upon
her shoulder.
MONICA
He loves me so much that he has made me think I must
marry him. And I am glad of it. I'm not like you,
Milly; I can't be contented with this life. Miss
Barfoot and Miss Nunn are very sensible and good
people, and I admire them very much, but I can't go
their way. It seems to me that it would be dreadful
to live one's life alone. Don't turn around and
snap at me; I want to tell you the truth while you
can't see me. Whenever I think of Alice and Virginia,
I am frightened. I had rather, oh, far rather, kill
myself than live such a life at their age.
MILDRED
You must let me tell the truth as well. I think
you're going to marry with altogether wrong ideas. I
53
think you'll do an injustice to Mr. Widdowson. You'll
marry him for a comfortable home - that's what it
amounts to. And you'll repent it bitterly and some
day you'll repent.
MONICA
I haven't confessed any motive to be ashamed of.
MILDRED
You say you have decided to marry now because you are
afraid of never having another chance.
MONICA
No, that's turning it very unkindly. I only said that
after I told you that I did love him. And I do love
him. He has made me love him.
MILDRED
Very well, dear.
MONICA (as lightheartedly as
possible)
You give me up for lost. We shall see.
VIRGINIA'S room.
VIRGINIA
Just a minute, my love. Only a minute,
VIRGINIA opens the door to MONICA.
MONICA
What a strange smell. It's like brandy.
54
VIRGINIA
You notice it? I have - I was obliged to get - to ask
Mrs. Conisbee for - I don't want to alarm you, dear, but I
felt rather faint. Think nothing about it, The weather is
very trying.
MONICA
If you didn't faint before, you'll be very likely to do
so now. I am no longer a typewriter.
The home of EDMUND WIDDOWSON,
EDMUND and his sister-in-law, MRS. LUKE
WIDDOWSON.
MRS. LUKE
Yes, yes, she managed it capitally. Clever little witch.
Fetching eyes she has. .
EDMUND
I won't stand for your insulting remarks.
MRS. LUKE
Bosh! I'll come to the wedding gaily. But you're a silly
fellow. Now why didn't you come and ask me to find you a
wife? Why, I know two or three girls of really good
family who would have jumped, simply jumped, at a man
with your money.
EDMUND
I am going to marry because, for the first time in mylife, I have met the woman whom I can respect and love.
MRS. LUKE
That's very nice and proper. But why shouldn't you
respect and love a girl who belongs to good society?
55
EDMUND
Miss Madden is a lady.
MRS. LUKE WIDDOWSON
Oh yes, to be sure. Well, bring her to me someday
when we can lunch quietly together. I see it's no
use. You're not a sharp man, Edmund.
EDMUND
Do you seriously tell me there are ladies in good
society who would have married me just because I have
a few hundreds a year?
MRS. LUKE
My dear boy, I would get together a round dozen in
two or three days. Girls who would make good faithful
wives, in mere gratitude to the man who saved them
from - horrors.
EDMUND
Excuse me if I say I don't believe it.
MRS. LUKE has a good laugh.
The rooms of MARY BARFOOT.
RHODA and MARY.
RHODA
I hardly thought of her as a girl likely to make
chance friendships with men in highways and by-ways.
MARY
No more did I; and that makes me all the more content
with what has come about. She ran a terrible risk,
56
poor child. You see, Rhoda, nature is too strong for
us.
We stay with RHODA as we hear MONICA’s
voice.
MONICA
It was very kind of you to come to my wedding, Miss
Nunn. It all seems very silly, and I am sure you have
wished yourself away a hundred times. I am really,
seriously, grateful to you.
End Act One.
The home of MARY BARFOOT.
EVERARD and RHODA.
EVERARD
You are thinking with regret of your old home.
RHODA
No, why should you fancy that?
EVERARD
Only because you seem rather sad.
RHODA
One is sometimes.
EVERARD
I like to see you with that look. May I remind you that
you promised me some flowers from Cheddar?
RHODA
Oh, so I did. I have brought them, scientifically pressed
57
between blotting paper. I'll fetch them.
MICKLETHWAITE's. A piano is heard. A
simple tune.
MICKLETHWAITE
You scoundrel! A man who claims poverty buys my bride a
piano! I want to begin crying. Why, man, I'm not
accustomed to receive presents, even as a proxy; if you
understood Tri-linear Co-ordinates, you'd be the finest
fellow on earth!
EVERARD
Is your bride strong in mathematics?
MICKLETHWAITE
Not much past the rule of three, but I don't despair of
getting her into plane trigonometry. She and I'll gossip
about sines and co-sines before we die!
EVERARD erupts into laughter.
The gardens near Chelsea Hospital.
RHODA sitting, in thought.
EVERARD comes upon HER.
EVERARD
I have just called at the house, Miss Nunn. My cousin has
gone. How is she today?
RHODA
I believe quite well.
58
EVERARD
But yesterday she was not so.
RHODA
A headache.
EVERARD
She had to attend an inquest yesterday. Perhaps it upset
her.
RHODA
Yes, I think it did.
EVERARD
You also have been disturbed by it?
RHODA
No.
EVERARD
Did you know that poor girl?
RHODA
Some time ago.
EVERARD
Then it is only natural that her fate should sadden you.
RHODA
It has no effect upon me whatsoever.
EVERARD
For give me if I say I find it difficult to believe.
Perhaps you -
59
RHODA
I don't easily forgive anyone who charges me with lying.
EVERARD
You take it too seriously. Perhaps you won't allow
yourself to acknowledge any feeling of compassion in such
a case.
RHODA
I don't acknowledge what I don't feel. Good afternoon.
SHE offers her hand. HE takes it.
HE retains it.
EVERARD
I see I am wrong. She didn't deserve your pity. You
do pardon me?
RHODA
Don't be foolish. Let go my hand.
HE does.
Miss Barfoot is angry with me. I think we shall part.
EVERARD
Angry with you?
RHODA
It is the girl you mentioned. Not long ago she tried
to persuade your cousin to receive her again, but I
resisted. She ended by agreeing with me. Now that the
girl has killed herself, she blames me.
60
EVERARD
I shall make my cousin see she is wrong.
RHODA
How do you know she is?
EVERARD
I respect Mary's judgment, but yours still more, yet
don't you feel ever so little regret that your severe
logic prevailed?
RHODA
No.
EVERARD
How I admire your consistence! We others are poor
halting creatures in comparison.
RHODA
Mr. Barfoot, I've had enough of this. If your
approval is sincere, I don't ask for it. If you are
practicing your powers of irony, I'd rather you
choose some other person. I will go my way, if you
please.
SHE leaves.
EVERARD
One does not break the heart of such a woman.
Heartbreak is a very old-fashioned disorder,
associated with poverty of brain. If Rhoda is what I
think, she enjoys this opportunity of studying a
modern male, and cares not how far I proceed in my
own investigations, sure at any moment she
61
can bid me fall back. The amusement is only just
beginning. And if for me it becomes earnest - an odd
thing were I to fall in love with Rhoda Nunn.
MARY BARFOOT's rooms.
MARY, RHODA. In medias res.
MARY
If your face had shown ever so little compassion RHODA
I felt no compassion.
MARY
No, you have hardened your heart with theory. Guard
yourself, Rhoda. To work for women, you must keep
your womanhood. You are becoming RHODA
I should have despised myself if I could have
affected sympathy.
MARY
Affected - yes.
RHODA
Or have really felt it. That would have meant that I
did not know myself. I should never again have dared
to speak on any grave subject.
MARY
How young you are. No, no, we will not quarrel. Wait
ti1 my grief has had its course, then I shall be more
reasonable.
62
RHODA goes to leave, stops, does not turn
back, and leaves.
MARY BARFOOT at a podium.
MARY
An excellent governess, a perfect hospital nurse, do
work which is invaluable; but for our cause of
emancipation they are no good no, they are harmful.
Men point to them and say, Imitate these, keep to
your proper world. Our proper world is the world of
intelligence, of honest effort, of moral strength. I
don't care whether we crowd out the men
or not. I don't care what results, if only women are
made strong and self-reliant. Most likely we shall
have a revolution in the social order greater than
any that yet seems possible. Let it come and let us
help its coming. When I think of the wretchedness of
women enslaved by custom, by their fears, by their
desires, I am ready to cry, Let the world perish in
tumult rather than things go on in this way.
At any cost - at any cost - we will free ourselves
from the heritage of weakness and contempt!
.
A bit after the speech.
RHODA NUNN comes to MARY BARFOOT.
RHODA
It was very good.
MARY
It was addressed to you.
63
RHODA
I have been ill-tempered. Obstinacy is one of my
faults.
MARY
It is.
RHODA
I ask your pardon. Right or wrong, I behaved in an
unmannerly way.
MARY
Yes, I think you did. And there's the last of it. Let
us kiss and be friends.
MOTIVES MEETING.
EVERARD BARFOOT, RHODA NUNN at MARY
BARFOOT’s. In medias res.
EVERARD
You have a prejudice against me. What Mary said to
you about my past is exaggerated. If I had married
during my twenties, I should have chosen, as the
average man does, some simpleton - with unpleasant
results. If I marry now, it will be a woman of
character and brains. Marry in the legal sense I
never shall. My companion must be as independent of
forms as I am myself.
RHODA
You also are a reformer?
64
EVERARD
In that direction. If my wife should declare that she
must be released, I might suffer, but being a man of
intelligence, I should admit that the suffering couldn't
be helped.
RHODA
Questions of marriage don't interest me much. My work and
thought are for the women who don't marry - the 'odd
women’ I call them.
EVERARD
Are you one of them?
RHODA
Yes.
EVERARD
You have views I'd like to change.
RHODA
I’d rather have my own view than any you might wish to
substitute for it.
A servant announces.
Servant
Mr. and Mrs. Widdowson.
Enter EDMUND and MONICA.
RHODA
Monica, Mr. Widdowson.
65
MONICA
Miss Nunn, thank you for inviting us.
EDMUND WIDDOWSON
How do you do?
EVERARD
Mrs. Widdowson, how nice to see you again. This is your
husband?
MONICA
Hello, Mr.Barfoot. This is my husband.
EVERARD (extending his hand)
Mr. Widdowson.
EDMUND (taking the hand)
How do you do?
EVERARD
I'm very well, thank you.
RHODA and MONICA have moved away.
EVERARD
What is it that you do, sir?
EDMUND
Do, sir?
EVERARD
Yes.
66
EDMUND
Nothing. And you?
EVERARD
Admirable.
EDMUND
You?
EVERARD
Nothing.
EDMUND
Ever?
EVERARD
As ever as I can make it.
EDMUND
I see.
You do.
EVERARD
I know you do. Charming, yes.
Another guest, MRS. COSGROVE has arrived and
speaks with RHODA and MONICA.
MRS. COSGROVE (to RHODA NUNN)
Do come and dine with us. Do, I beg.
67
RHODA
I will, with pleasure. Can you wait and take me with
you?
EVERARD
I must be off. Good day.
(to EDMUND)
HE moves to the women.
Mrs. Widdowson, Miss Nunn, good day.
HE leaves.
EDMUND tries not to, but follows
HIM out with his eyes.
SCENE.
RHODA NUNN.
RHODA
No man has ever made love to me. No one has ever been
tempted to. To my knowledge. To Mr. Smithson's
knowlege. Fifteen. I am past thirty. I can shut the
door on certain instincts. The door does not want to
be shut. If I had once listened to an offer of
devotion, and rejected it, my heart would be at
peace. I think. I want that common triumph of my sex.
I will not have it said or thought that I make a
virtue of necessity. I know Barfoot interests me.
More so because of his reputation. A man for whom
women have sacrificed themselves. Yes, I regard him
with sexual curiosity. It is not love, nor the
beginning of love, something less possible to admit.
What? And is it reciprocated? Today, accident
prevented him from making a confession of love. Or do
I mistake him? Is he a changed man? Does a genuine
68
emotion control him? If he loves me, his theories
will disappear; he will plead with me to become
his legal wife. And I shall refuse. Love will no
longer be the privilege of other women. It will be
mine. I the object of a man's passion!
SCENE.
EVERARD.
EVERARD
I am getting to know her face so well. I am prepared
for its constant changes. I watch for certain
movements of brows lips. When I would not let go her
hand –
“Or if thy mistress some rich anger shows
“Imprison her soft hand and let her rave”
Do I want to be in love with her?
No.
THE JOYS OF HOME.
EDMUND and MONICA WIDDOWSON walking home.
EDMUND
How was it you knew that Mr. Barfoot?
MONICA
I had met him before - when I went there on the
Saturday.
69
EDMUND
He's often there, then?
MONICA
I don't know. Perhaps he is. He's Miss Barfoot's cousin.
EDMUND
You haven't seen him more than once before?
MONICA
No, why do you ask?
EDMUND
Oh, it was only that he seemed to speak as if you were
old acquaintances.
MONICA
That's his way, I suppose.
Have you accepted our sister-in-law's invitation to
dinner?
EDMUND
I have declined it.
MONICA
But why?
EDMUND
Surely we needn't discuss that over again, Monica.
MONICA
Do you mean to break with her altogether? If so, I think
it's very unwise, Edmund. What an opinion you must have
of me, if you think I can't see people's faults. I know
it's very true, all you say about her. But she wishes to
be kind to us, I'm sure - and I like to see something of a
life so different from our own.
70
It is the next morning in the WIDDOWSON home.
EDMUND, MONICA.
EDMUND
Are we friends?
MONICA
Of course we are.
EDMUND
Didn't he behave gruffly last night to his little girl?
MONICA
Just a little.
EDMUND
And what can the old bear do to show he's sorry?
MONICA
Never be gruff again.
EDMUND
The old bear is sometimes an old goose as well, and
torments himself in the silliest way. Tell him so, if
ever he begins to behave badly.
Isn't it account-book morning?
MONICA
Yes, I'm ready.
EDMUND
And if we have a nice quiet comfortable week, I'll take
you to the Crystal Palace concert next Saturday.
71
MONICA
Couldn't we take Virgie?
EDMUND
Virginia? Wouldn't she MONICA
Then let me ask her to come here Sunday. I'm sure she
thinks I neglect her, and it must be dreadful living all
alone like she does.
EDMUND
Haven't they made up their mind yet about the school? I ' m
sure it's the right thing for them to do. If the venture
were to fail, we would see that they never come to want.
MONICA
They're so timid about it. And it wouldn't be nice, you
know, for them to feel they were going to be dependent
upon us for the rest of their lives. I had better go and
see Virgie tomorrow morning, and bring her back for
dinner.
EDMUND
If you like. But why not send a message and ask her to
come here?
MONICA
I had rather go. It makes a change for me.
'Change' is a word WIDDOWSON detests.
EDMUND, MONICA, and MRS. LUKE WIDDOWSON.
MRS. LUKE
When are you silly young people coming to an end of your
honeymoon? Do you sit here day after day and call each
72
other pretty names? Really it's very charming in its way.
Monica, my black-eyed beauty, change your frock, and come
with me to the Hodgson-Bulls. They're quite too awful, I
can't face them alone. Be off, and let me pitch into your
young man for daring to refuse my dinner. Don't you know,
sir, that my invitations are like those of Royalty,
polite commands?
MONICA
I'm sorry, Mrs. Luke, but I'm not feeling well. I must
excuse myself.
MRS. LUKE
Do just as you like, of course. But Edmund must not let
you sit here in the dumps. You are in the dumps, I can
see.
Later. Without MRS. LUKE.
EDMUND
My dearest, you were so wonderful to turn her down. What
can I do -
Edmund, I
am
MONICA
ill. Please get me a doctor.
SCENE.
EDMUND
Yes, Doctor. Her mode of life? Enough exercise? Wholesome
variety of occupation? A holiday, perhaps. Why not? Yes.
Abroad?
NEWDICK, a friend of EDMUND WIDDOWSON, giving
advice.
73
NEWDICK
An immoral lot there. Queer goings on.
EDMUND
Oh, but that's among the foreigners, isn't it?
NEWDICK
You couldn't live by yourself. You have to eat at public
tables, and you'd have all sorts of people trying to make
acquaintance with Mrs. Widdowson. They're a queer lot, I
believe.
EDMUND moves to MONICA.
MONICA
Cannes? Nice?
EDMUND
What?
MONICA
The South of France?
EDMUND
Perhaps MONICA
Where, Edmund?
EDMUND
Guernsey.
MONICA
Guernsey?
74
EDMUND
It's not MONICA
It’s not.
EDMUND
It's MONICA
What?
EDMUND
Guernsey.
HEALTH FROM THE SEA.
Guernsey. By the sea. MONICA and EDMUND.
MONICA
Edmund, don't you think you take life too gravely?
EDMUND
Gravely? Don't I seem to enjoy myself?
MONICA
But when we get back again, how will it be? You won't be
angry with me? I really don't think I can live again as
we were doing.
EDMUND
Not live as -
75
MONICA
We ought to have more enjoyment. Doesn't it seem a
pity to sit there day after day alone EDMUND
Surely it ought to be a pleasure to you to see that
the house is kept in order. There are duties MONICA
Yes, I know. But these duties I could perform in an
hour or two.
EDMUND
Not thoroughly.
MONICA
Quite thoroughly enough.
t
EDMUND
A woman ought never to be so happy as when she is
looking after her home.
MONICA
I wish to do my duty.
EDMUND
Not only your duty, dear, but your privilege!
MONICA
Wait a moment. If you were a shopman earning fifteen
shillings a week, and working from early morning ti1
late at night, should you think it not only your duty
but your privilege?
76
EDMUND
What comparison is there?
MONICA
Work is work.
EDMUND
Monica, you have got these ideas from those people at
Chelsea.
MONICA
You're mistaken. Miss Barfoot and Miss Nunn are all
for work. They take life as seriously as you do.
EDMUND
Work? They deny that men and women are made for
entirely different duties.
MONICA
Oh, that word Duty!
EDMUND
Dear good little wife!
MONICA
My thoughts don't come from other people. They rise
naturally in my own head.
EDMUND
I shall begin to think that you wish that you had
never married me.
77
MONICA
Suppose you want to walk about the city some
afternoon just to be more at ease, should I forbid
you and grumble?
EDMUND
The old confusion. I am a man; you are a woman.
MONICA
There is no confusion.
EDMUND
If I disapprove of your becoming a woman who
acknowledges no law, you will cease to love me?
MONICA
What law?
EDMUND
The natural law.
MONICA
Now you are angry. We mustn't talk about it any more
just now.
A bit apart, MONICA and EDMUND walk upon the
beach. A lady comes up to MONICA. It is MRS.
COSGROVE.
MRS. COSGROVE
Mrs. Widdowson, I've been expecting to see you. We
arrived three days ago.
78
MONICA
Mrs. Cosgrove, how delightful to see you. This is my
husband.
MRS. COSGROVE
How do you do, Mr. Widdowson?
The wind is high. EDMUND is having trouble
with his hat.
EDMUND
How do you do?
MRS. COSGROVE
Come and see me, will you? I'm always at home after
dinner, and we have music.
'
MONICA
Thank you, we shall.
MRS. COSGROVE moves on.
EDMUND
Who is that person?
MONICA
You saw her at Miss Barfoot's.
EDMUND
There's no getting out of the way of those people. I
had rather you didn't go to see that woman.
79
MONICA
Certainly I shall go.
EDMUND
I forbid you.
MONICA
Certainly I shall go.
SHE moves off.
EDMUND in thought.
It grows dark. EDMUND still in high wind.
EDMUND
Monica in rebellion. She must put all such monstrous
thoughts out! I shall make the most of this. Perhaps
I shall not utter a definite command.
MONICA at MRS. COSGROVE'S. A young man has
just finished singing a song. HE comes to
MONICA.
MONICA
Thank you for that charming song. Is it published, Mr.
Bevis?
MR. BEVIS
Oh, dear, no. One of two or three that I struck out when
I was studying in Germany, ages ago. You play, I hope.
MONICA
No.
80
BEVIS
Are you here for the whole winter?
MONICA
Only a while, unfortunately.
BEVIS
Do you dread the voyage back?
MONICA
I do. I have a very unpleasant time coming.
BEVIS
MY sisters always have to carry me ashore, one holding me
by the hair and one by the boots.
We see EDMUND speaking with MRS. COSGROVE and
stealing a glance at MONICA.
Happily, I am so emaciated that my weight doesn't
distress them. I pick up flesh in a day or two, and then
my health is stupendous is as at present. You see how
marvellously fit I look.
MONICA
You look very well indeed. .
MONICA and EDMUND on the way home.
MONICA
Enjoy yourself?
81
EDMUND
There wasn't much harm in it.
MONICA
Harm? How like you, Edmund, to put it that way! Now
confess you will be glad to go again.
EDMUND
I shall go if you wish.
MONICA
Unsatisfactory man! I believe, in your heart, you
think enjoyment is wrong. The music was nice, wasn't
it?
EDMUND
I didn't think much of the girl's singing, but that
fellow Bevis wasn't bad.
MONICA
I saw you talking with Mrs. Cosgrove. Did she tell
you about this wonderful Bevis?
EDMUND
Nothing particular.
MONICA
That he supports his mother and three sisters?
EDMUND
Oh that, yes.
82
MONICA
Oh that, yes.
EDMUND
I don't see that he's done anything more than his
duty, but he isn't a bad fellow.
MONICA alone.
MONICA
This young Bevis is not a bad fellow, says Edmund,
yet this same Edmund shows disfavor for Mr. Barfoot.
I am very much amused.
THE TRIUMPH.
EVERARD BARFOOT and THOMAS MICKLETHWAITE.
MICKLETHWAITE
Fanny! She is one of the angels walking the-earth.
Science hasn't abolished them, and I don't think it
ever will.
EVERARD
Marriage isn't impossible for me.
MICKLETHWAITE
Ha! Capital!
EVERARD
Marriage without forms. Simply a free union.
83
MICKLETHWAITE
It won't do. We must conform. Besides the person
isn't suitable to you. You must marry a lady.
EVERARD
I should never think of anyone who wasn't a lady.
MICKLETHWAITE
Is emancipation getting as far as that?
EVERARD
I don't know any example. That's why the idea tempts
me.
MICKLETHWAITE stops EVERARD and points into
the distance.
MICKLETHWAITE
My little house is one of the sacred spots of the
earth. Strange to think it has been waiting for me
through all the years of my hopelessness. I feel that
a mysterious light ought to shine about it. It
oughtn't to look just like common houses.
-.
The rooms of MARY BARFOOT. RHODA NUNN, for
the first time not in uniform black, wears a
red silk blouse with a black skirt.
EVERARD BARFOOT. In medias res.
RHODA
Yes, I have read it.
84
EVERARD
Without sympathy, of course.
RHODA
Why 'of course'? Do I seem to you a shallow optimist?
EVERARD
No, a vigorous and rational one - such as I.
RHODA
Really? Optimism of that kind must be proved by some
effort on behalf of society.
EVERARD
If a man works at fortifying his character, he is
doing society a service.
RHODA
But how do you fortify yourself?
EVERARD
By living quietly and thinking of grave problems.
RHODA
Naturally.
EVERARD
When a man is in love, solitude is the most unnatural
condition.
RHODA
Don't make me your confidante, Mr. Barfoot.
85
EVERARD
I can't help it. It is you whom I love.
RHODA
I'm sorry to hear it. Happi1y, the sentiment will not
long trouble you. You always take coffee, I think?
SHE pours. THEY drink.
EVERARD
Miss Nunn, the sentiment, as you call it, has
troubled me for some time, and will last.
The cup SHE holds shakes a little.
Please let me put it aside for you.
.
SHE allows HIM to do so, then locks her fingers
I want you for the companion of my life. I don't see
how I am to do without you. You know me well enough
to understand that my wife - if we use the old word
would be as free to live in her own way as I to live
in mine. All the same, it is love I am asking for.
RHODA
As you insisted on speaking, I had no choice but to
listen. It is usual, I think - if one may trust the novels
for a woman to return thanks when an offer of this kind
has been made to her. So thank you very much, Mr.
Barfoot.
HE takes her hand.
86
EVERARD
I will have no such thanks. When I first saw you, I
thought you interesting because of your evident
intelligence nothing more; indeed you were not a woman to
me. Now you are the one woman in the world; no other can
draw my eyes from you. Touch me with your fingers and I
shall tremble that is what my love means.
SHE does not try to withdraw her hand.
RHODA
I don't love you in the least. And if I did I would never
share your life.
EVERARD
The reason? Because you have no faith in me?
RHODA
I can't say whether I have or not. I know absolutely
nothing of your life. But I have my work, and no one
shall ever persuade me to abandon it.
SHE wrenches HERself from his grasp and
goes apart.
Doesn't it strike you that you take advantage of me, as
you did once before? I make no pretense in equaling you
in muscular strength, yet you try to hold me by force.
EVERARD
Yes, it's true. Love revives the barbarian. Marriage by
capture can't quite be done away with. I won't kneel
before you and proclaim my miserable unworthiness - for I
am not unworthy of you. I am stronger than you, and have
stronger passions, I take that advantage - try to
overcome, as I may, the womanly resistance of your
charms.
87
RHODA
How useless then for us to talk! If you are determined to
remind me again and again that your strength puts me at
your mercy EVERARD
Oh, not that! I'll come no nearer to you. You are
resolved never to marry?
RHODA
I never shall.
EVERARD
Suppose marriage in no way interfered with your work?
RHODA
What would become of the encouragement I'm able to offer
our girls?
EVERARD
Encouragement to refuse marriage?
RHODA
To scorn the old idea that a woman's life is waster if
she does not marry. I show them my life is anything but
seariness and lamentation. I am fitted for this. It gives
me a sense of power and usefulness I enjoy.
EVERARD
Magnificent! If I could bear the thought of living
without you, I should bid you persevere and be great.
RHODA
I need no such bidding to persevere. For your own peace,
I hope you avoid me. We have nothing in common.
88
EVERARD
There are perhaps not half a dozen women living with whom
I could talk as I've talked to you. It isn't likely that
I shall ever meet one. Am I to abandon in resignation the
one chance of perfecting my life?
RHODA
We differ profoundly.
EVERARD
You think so because you have a very wrong idea of me.
RHODA
Forgive me if I remind you it's past ten o'clock. The fog
certainly cannot be so thick now. Shall I ask them to try
and get you a cab?
EVERARD
1’11 walk to the station.
RHODA
Only one more word. We have spoken in this way for the
last time. You will not oblige me to take all sorts of
trouble merely to avoid useless and painful
conversations.
EVERARD
I love you and I can't abandon hope.
RHODA
Then I must take that trouble,
EVERARD
I mustn't offer to shake hands.
89
RHODA
I hope you remember I had no choice but to be your
hostess.
SHE offers her hand. HE holds it without
pressure, only for an instant. Then HE
leaves the room.
Later. RHODA NUNN, MARY BARFOOT.
RHODA
Will you tell me in plain terms what it was that your
cousin did when he disgraced himself?
MARY
Why?
RHODA
He's been good enough to say he's in love with me.
EVERARD.
EVERARD
Your face and figure are before me. Your life will be
linked with mine. Legal marriage or free union, it no
longer matters. Now I am convinced. You will be mine.
RHODA NUNN.
RHODA
I'm essentially unchanged. I can pursue the aim of my
life without bitterness and with a larger spirit. I have
enjoyed my triumph. Now I am convinced. Thank you.
90
A REINFORCEMENT.
The rooms of MARY BARFOOT.
MARY reads aloud a letter. RHODA. EVERARD.
MARY
"Your brother Tom is dying. Dr. Swain assures me that
unless he be removed he cannot last more than a month.
This morning I saw his wife and talked to her in the
plainest language she ever had the privilege of hearing.
It was a tremendous scene, brought to a close only by her
flinging herself on the sofa with shrieks which terrified
the whole household. My idea is that we must carry the
poor fellow away by force. His infatuation makes me rage
and curse, but I am bent on trying to save his life. Will
you come and give me your help?"
EVERARD
She declares herself too ill to attend the funeral, but
in a fortnight is sufficiently recovered to visit one of
her friends in the country.
MARY
The widow charges you …
EVERARD
Wherever she happens to be.
MARY
… with deliberate fratricide. She vilifies your
reputation.
EVERARD
And protests that my furious wrath at not having profited
91
more largely by the will puts her in fear of her life.
MARY
This may necessitate your prosecuting her. There's a
limit even to a woman's license.
EVERARD
I'm far more likely to purchase a very nice little cane
and give her an exemplary thrashing.
MARY
Oh! Oh!
EVERARD
There's a great deal to be said for woman-beating. If she
saw the possibility that I should give her a public
caning, she'd be more careful how she behaved,
RHODA NUNN
I sympathize with you. Many women ought to be beaten, but
public opinion would be so much against you.
EVERARD
What do I care? So is public opinion against you
RHODA
Very well. Miss Barfoot and I will come to the police and
give strong evidence in your favor.
EVERARD
Now there's a woman! Look at her, Mary. Do you wonder
that I would walk the diameter of the globe to win her
love?
The slightest of pauses.
92
Now that I've misbehaved myself, she has a good excuse
for refusing even to enter the room when I am here. Speak
a word for me while I'm away, Mary. Good bye to you both.
THEY shake hands and HE leaves.
RHODA
Do you think he'll really cane his sister-in-law. It
would be amusing. I should think better of him for it.
MARY (in RHODA'S voice)
'Face this monstrous scandal and I am yours.'
THEY share laughter.
RHODA tears open a letter. Inside is a bunch
of violets, crushed but still fragrant.
RHODA (reading)
'These in return for your Cheddar pinks.'
RHODA NUNN, MARY BARFOOT.
MARY
I must depend on you, it seems, for news of Everard.
RHODA
I can only tell you he's traveled from the south of
France to the north of Italy, with much observation of
female countenances.
MARY BARFOOT
He informs you of that?
93
RHODA NUNN
Very naturally. It is his chief interest. One likes
people to tell the truth.
EVERARD and MONICA walking. HE'S intent upon
HER and neither notices RHODA NUNN passing .
nearby. SHE, however, notices THEM.
EVERARD
Bevis? I've seen the name on the index at the foot of the
stairs; but I don't know them personally.
MONICA WIDDOWSON
That was how I came to know that you live there.
EVERARD and MONICA in a picture gallery.
MONICA
We knew each other a few years ago, but Miss Nunn does
not care much about me now. Probably because I married.
You've been away, out of England?
EVERARD
Yes, in Italy.
MONICA
I envy you.
EVERARD
You've never been there?
MONICA
No - not yet.
94
EVERARD
Is Miss Nunn really an enemy of marriage?
MONICA
She thinks it pardonable in weak people. She was
indulgent enough to come to my wedding.
EVERARD
She came to your wedding? And wore a wedding garment?
MONICA
Oh yes. And looked very nice.
EVERARD
Do describe it to me.
MONICA WIDDOWSON
You can't imagine her in such a costume?
EVERARD
I should like to have seen her.
MONICA
She has a very striking face - don't you think so?
EVERARD
Yes, a wonderful face. To me the most interesting of all.
Does it seem strange to you, Mrs. Widdowson?
MONICA
Oh - why? Not at all.
EVERARD
Do describe her gown to me.
95
MONICA
Yes, of course.
Before SHE can begin THEY both notice
someone.
EVERARD
I think that's Mr. Widdowson on the other side of the
room.
It is indeed.
THE CLANK OF THE CHAINS.
EDMUND and MONICA at home.
EDMUND
I have every reason to dislike and suspect him. He is not
an honest man; his face tells me that. Contrast him with
Bevis. No, Bevis is a man we can trust.
MONICA
Yet even with him you don't make friends. You haven't a
sociable spirit. And you are completely wrong in your
judgment of Mr. Barfoot.
EDMUND
Of course you think so. In your ignorance of the world -
MONICA WIDDOWSON
Which you think very proper in a woman.
96
EDMUND WIDDOWSON
A married woman must accept her husband's opinion, at
all events about men.
MONICA
I can't and won't believe that.
EDMUND
We differ hopelessly. You say whatever you know will
irritate me, and you say it on purpose to irritate
me.
MONICA
No, indeed I do not. Most earnestly I wish to be your
friend - your true and faithful friend. But you won't
let me.
EDMUND
Friend! You have lost all love for me - there's the
misery.
MONICA
When you say that, do you ever ask yourself whether
you try to make me love you? Scenes like this are
ruining my health. I have come to dread your talk. I
have almost forgotten the sound of your voice when it
isn't either angry or complaining.
EDMUND
That is why I have asked you to go away from here,
Monica.
We must have a new home if our life is to begin anew.
97
MONICA
I have no faith in mere change of place. You would be
the same man. If you can't command your senseless
jealousy here, you never would anywhere else.
EDMUND
Can you honestly repeat to me what Barfoot was saying
today?
MONICA
I could; every word. But I shall not try to do so.
EDMUND
Not if I beseech you to, Monica? To put my mind at
rest?
MONICA
No. When I tell you that you might have heard every
syllable, I have said all that I shall.
THE FIRST LIE.
The rooms of MR. BEVIS. We don't see MONICA
immediately as SHE moves into the scene.
BEVIS
Do you know I did a very silly thing. I wanted your visit
(if you came) to be a surprise for my sisters, and so in
fact, I said nothing about it. When I got here from
business, a little before three, they were just going
out. I asked them if they were sure they would be back in
less than an hour. Oh, they were quite sure. I do hope
they haven't altered their mind, and gone to call
98
somewhere. But, Mrs. Widdowson, I am going to make you a
cup of tea - with my own fair hands, as the novelists say.
BEVIS leaves as
MONICA turns back for a scene with EDMUND who
enters in driving coat.
MONICA
Have you enjoyed your drive?
EDMUND
Pretty well.
MONICA
And do you feel better?
EDMUND
Not much, dear. But it isn't worth talking about. And
where did you go?
MONICA
I had an appointment with Millie Vesper.
EDMUND nods and moves on.
If you had plied me with interrogation, or seemed to
suspect anything, this burden of untruth would be more
endurable. Your simple acceptance of my word is the
sternest rebuke I could receive. I despise myself, and I
hate you.
TOWARDS THE DECISIVE.
MARY BARFOOT and RHODA NUNN.
99
MARY
So it will be the Lake Country for your holiday.
RHODA NUNN
How delicious it was in one's childhood, when one ran
into the sea naked! I will enjoy that sensation once
more, if I have to get up at three in the morning.
RHODA NUNN, MILDRED VESPER.
'
MILDRED
Yes, I had rather tell you. She said a good many strange
things, and I have been uneasy about her.
RHODA
How strange that I should feel urged to ask you about
this. Poor Monica is very miserable I am sure. Her
husband seems to leave her entirely to herself.
MILDRED
Monica made quite the opposite complaint to me. She said
she was a prisoner.
RHODA
That's very odd. She certainly goes about a good deal,
and alone.
MILDRED
I always understood Mr. Widdowson objected to her going
anywhere without him except just to call here, or at my
lodgings.
RHODA
Do you think she has any acquaintance he dislikes?
100
MILDRED
There is someone. She hasn't told me who it is.
RHODA
There's somneone she prefers to her husband?
MILDRED
I can't help thinking there is.
The home of EDMUND WIDDOWSON. EDMUND, more
grizzled than usual. RHODA NUNN.
RHODA
Shall you be leaving town shortly, Mr. Widdowson?
EDMUND
We are not quite sure - but, pray, sit down, Miss Nunn.
You haven't seen my wife lately?
RHODA NUNN
She hasn't been to see us for more than a month - if I
remember rightly.
EDMUND
A month? But I thought - I had an idea - that she went
only a few days ago.
RHODA
In the day time?
EDMUND
To hear a lecture by Miss Barfoot.
101
RHODA
Oh yes - very likely - I wasn't there that afternoon.
EDMUND
I see. That would explain.
RHODA, EVERARD.
RHODA
The Lake Cuontry is free to you, Mr. Barfoot.
EVERARD
But I mustn't miss you. You will leave Seascale tomorrow
week?
RHODA
I think so, but I can't restrict myself by any agreement.
Holiday must be a time of liberty.
EVERARD
Tomorrow week, then, perhaps we may meet again.
HONOUR IN DIFFICULTIES.
BEVIS.
BEVIS
I know you won't refuse me this one last kindness. Some
day, some day - who knows?
EDMUND, MONICA.
102
MONICA
Why are you talking in this tone?
EDMUND
What tone? I'm telling you what I've decided to do,
that's all. I shall easily find a house in Clevedon.
Knowing the place, you will be able to suggest the likely
localities. Write to both your sisters this evening and
tell them. I wish them both to come and live with us.
MONICA
Very well.
EDMUND
Now, won't you be glad? Won't it be better in every way?
MONICA
I told you before to do just as you liked.
EDMUND
And you won't talk about being kept a prisoner?
MONICA
Oh no, I won't say anything at all.
EVERARD, MONICA.
EVERARD
You know that Miss Nunn has gone down into Cumberland?
MONICA
Yes, I know.
103
EVERARD
Tomorrow I'm going there myself. I shall see her, I hope.
Perhaps she'll only be angry with me
MONICA
Perhaps. But perhaps not.
EVERARD
If it's all in vain, then I shall say goodbye, and
there's an end.
MONICA
I hope not - I should think -
EDMUND.
EDMUND
When all is ready, you shall come down here and live at
thehotel untli the house is furnished. Go to your sister
Virginia and simply bid her do as you wish. Imitate me!
BEVIS. MONICA.
BEVIS
Say that you love me.
MONICA
I love you.
BEVIS
Monica, what is there before us? How can I leave you?
104
MONICA
Take me away with you! I can't live with him. Let me go
with you to France.
BEVIS
Dare, dare you do that?
MONICA
Dare I? What courage is needed? How dare I remain with a
man I hate?
BEVIS
You must leave him. Of course you must.
MONICA
Before another day has passed!
BEVIS
Has he behaved brutally to you, dearest?
MONICA
I have nothing to accuse him of, except that he persuaded
me to marry him made me think that I could love him when
I didn't know what love meant. It is I who am to blame. I
ought to have left him. It's base and wicked to stay
there - pretending - deceiving BEVIS takes HER in his arms. THEY kiss.
You love me? You will take me away with you?
BEVIS
Yes, you shall come. We mustn't travel together, but you
shall come - when I am settled there -
105
MONICA
Why can't I go with you?
BEVIS
Think what it would mean if our secret were discovered MONICA WIDDOWSON
Discovered? How can we think of that? How can I go back
there with your kisses on my lips?
BEVIS
I love you with all my soul, Monica. Sit do - again,
dearest, let us talk about it and see what we can do.
A knock at the door.
Who can that be? I expect no one.
MONICA
Need you answer?
BEVIS
Can it be? Have you been followed? Does any one suspect –
I daren't open - it might be MONICA
No! That's impossible.
BEVIS
Listen! That's the clink of the letter box. A card or
something. It's all right. I'll wait a moment.
A moment. HE fetches the letter.
106
Only one of our partners. He took it for granted I was
out.
MONICA
I think I must go.
BEVIS
But what are our arrangements? Do you still intend MONICA
Intend? Isn't it for you to decide?
BEVIS
Darling, do what I proposed at first. Stay for a few
days, until I am settled at Bordeaux.
MONICA
Stay with my - my husband?
BEVIS
For both our sakes, dearest dearest love!
MONICA in a railway station.
MONICA WIDDOWSON
When I'm in flight
which,
why
- why - do
again. I
I
-I
- in
love
- in'
flight
- in
need secrecy? I'm not free
love
-
- why MONICA faints. Two women rush to her aid.
-
107
First Woman
I think perhaps it's Second Woman
Yes, I think it's so.
MONICA comes to.
IN AMBUSH.
EDMUND WIDDOWSON.
EDMUND
Let me ask myself a question. If Monica were
absolutely free, can I persuade myself that she would
remain my wife?
She would not. Not for a day, not for an hour. We are
unsuited for - we do not understand each other. Our
marriage is physical and nothing more. My love - what
is my love? I do not love her mind, her intellectual
part. I don't know what her thoughts really are. And
yet I hold her to me with the sternest grasp. If she
tried to release herself, I should feel capable of
killing her. Is not this a strange, brutal thing?
VIRGINIA, not at her soberest.
EDMUND
.
VIRGINIA
What a pity I was away when Monica called! It's so
foolish of me, Edmund. When I'm not here I forget all
about my meals really forget and then all at once I
108
find that I am exhausted - as you see. Dear, dear
Clevedon!
EDMUND
I only wished to tell you, that we have taken a house
at Clevedon.
VIRGINIA
You really have!
EDMUND
Perhaps you'd better come and see us tomorrow.
VIRGINIA MADDEN
But Monica left a message that she wouldn't be at home
for the next few days, and that I wasn't to come till I
heard from her.
EDMUND
Not at home --? I think there's a mistake.
VIRGINIA
Oh, impossible!
EDMUND’s home.
MONICA goes to EDMUND, who reads a newspaper.
EDMUND
So, you are back?
MONICA
Yes. I hope you didn't expect me sooner.
109
EDMUND
Oh, it's alright. Had a long talk with Virginia, I
suppose?
MONICA
Yes, I couldn't get away before.
EDMUND
You look very tired.
MONICA
I am, very.
TRACKED.
MONICA walking, coming to a house of stairs
and doors. A Man, a mechanic, passes HER.
SHE notices HIM. SHE come to a door. SHE
hesitates, looks back in the direction the
mechanic has gone. SHE hears a door shut on
another landing. SHE knocks at the door in
front of HER. There is no response.
A Woman, coming form the direction of the
door we heard shut, passes HER. MONICA moves
to another door. It is perhaps the door SHE
heard shut. SHE cannot be sure. SHE looks
back in the direction the woman has gone.
SHE hesitates, then knocks at the door.
There is no response. SHE slips a letter
under the door. We see the mechanic. MONICA
does not.
MONICA and EDMUND at home.
110
EDMUND
Yes, I'm late. I've had bad news in the City. Have you
been out this afternoon?
MONICA
Yes, I went to see Miss Barfoot.
HE seizes HER.
EDMUND
Liar! Adulteress!
MONICA
I am not! I am not that!
EDMUND
Where were you yesterday and this afternoon? Tell the
trust or you shall never speak again.
MONICA
Help! He will kill me!
EDMUND
Call them up - let them come and look at what you are.
You were watched every step of the way.
MONICA
Your spies have misled you.
EDMUND
Didn't you go to that man Barfoot's door and knock there?
And because you were disappointed, didn't you go there a
second time?
111
MONICA
What if I did? It doesn't mean what you think.
EDMUND
You go time after time to the private chambers of an
unmarried man MONICA
I've never been there before. I'm not guilty of what you
believe, but I shan't try to defend myself. Thank Heaven,
this is the end of everything between us. Charge me with
what you like. I am going away from you, and I hope we
may never meet again.
EDMUND
You swear you were never at that man's rooms before
today?
MONICA
What I have said you must take the trouble to recollect.
I shall answer no question.
EDMUND
Do you pretend you are innocent of any crime against me?
MONICA
I will explain nothing. I want only to be free from you.
EDMUND
That you shall not. Make what scandal you like, you don't
leave this house.
MONICA
For scandal I care nothing. One way or another I will
leave the house.
112
EDMUND
Where are you going?
MONICA
To my sister's.
HE doesn't know what to do. Their eyes lock.
HE turns and steps aside for a moment. In
that moment SHE is gone.
Later.
Outside some rooms.
EDMUND
Will you please to tell me whether Mrs. Widdowson is
here?
A Woman's Voice
Yes sir. She is with her sister.
EDMUND
Thank you.
THE FATE OF THE IDEAL.
The shore. RHODA. SHE turns and sights
EVERARD in the distance.
RHODA
Did you know me before I happened to look around?
EVERARD
Of course I did. Up there by the station I caught sight
of you. Did you expect me?'
113
RHODA
I thought you might come as you spoke of it.
EVERARD
I should have been here days ago, but I was afraid –
afraid of making you angry.
RHODA
It's better to keep one's word.
Don't you like the smell of burning peat from that
cottage?
EVERARD
You and I by the peat-fire. With a good supply of books,
old and new, I can picture it for three months, for half
a year !
RHODA
Be on your guard.
EVERARD
I'm in no danger. There's a vast different between six .
months and all one's life. When the half year was over,
we would leave England.
RHODA
By the Orient Express?
THEY laugh.
EVERARD
By the Orient Express. We'd have a house by the Bosphorus
for the next half year and contrast our emotions with
those we had known here. Think what a rich year of life
that would make !
114
RHODA
And how tired of each other we should be.
And how tired of each other we should be.
EVERARD
You mean that?
RHODA
You know it's true.
EVERARD
Hush! The day is to be perfect. A delightful dinner at
the inn, then one more quiet walk by the sea at
nightfall.
RHODA
I'll be too tired.
EVERARD
No. I must have that hour of talk by the sea. You're free
to answer me or not, but your presence you must grant me.
Later. EVERARD and RHODA.
RHODA
Did you see the light of sunset on the mountains?
EVERARD
Yes, and you wanted to sit at home with a book. That was
no close for a perfect day.
HE kisses HER.
115
EVERARD
Do you remember my saying in the letter how I hungered
for your lips?
RHODA
What is your love worth?
EVERARD
Your whole life!
RHODA
Convince me.
EVERARD
With more kisses. What is your life worth?
RHODA
Perhaps more than you can understand. Let me stand away.
No, let me. Will you answer me a question.
EVERARD
Yes.
RHODA
Is there at this moment any woman living who has a claim
upon you - a moral claim?
EVERARD
No.
RHODA
During the past month - have you pretended love to any
woman?
116
EVERARD BARFOOT
No.
RHODA NUNN
That satisfies me.
EVERARD
Is this the result of Mary's talk?
RHODA
Not immediately. Should you think me a poor creature if I
resented any kind of unfaithfulness?
EVERARD
No, that is the understanding between man and wife. If I
cannot exact fidelity from you, and certainly I should, I
must consider myself under the same obligation.
RHODA
'Man and wife'. Do you say it with the ordinary meaning?
EVERARD
Only as it applies to us. You know what I mean when I ask
you to be my wife. If we cannot trust each other without
legal bonds, any union between us would be unjustified.
RHODA is silent.
After all, you doubt of your love for me?
RHODA
Are you willing, for the sake of this idea -
117
EVERARD
If we regard each other as married RHODA
I can't answer you at once.
EVERARD
You must. Here and at once; you are still doubtful of me?
Or of your own love?
RHODA
No, if I understand what love means, I love you.
EVERARD
You've not kissed me yet.
RHODA
I can't - until I'm sure of myself - of my readiness
HE slips a ring on her finger. SHE starts
away from HIM and at once draws it off.
No - that proves to me I can't! What should we gain? You
see, you dare not be quite consistent. It's only
deceiving the people who don't know us.
EVERARD
The consistency is in ourselves.
RHODA
Take it back. Custom is too strong for us. We should only
play at defying it. Take it back - or I shall drop it on
the sand.
HE takes it back. Some moments pass as THEY
118
are silent.
Everard, dearest
EVERARD
Will you kiss me?
SHE does.
You wish for that old, idle form?
RHODA
Not for the religious form, but EVERARD
Stay another week and we'll get a license from the
registrar. Does that please you?
RHODA
Do you love me any less? Isn't it better?
EVERARD
Perhaps you are right.
RHODA
I'll let no one hear of it until - then let us go abroad.
EVERARD
And Mary?
RHODA
Of course she'll laugh. They all will.
119
EVERARD
Why, you may laugh as well.
RHODA NUNN
You have spoiled my life. Such a grand one it might have
been. Why did you come and interfere?
EVERARD BARFOOT
But I've been weak.
RHODA
Yielding in one point? It was the only way of making sure
you loved me.
EVERARD
And what if I needed the other proof that you loved me?
THE UNIDEAL TESTED.
EVERARD opens a letter.
EVERARD
"I send you something that has come by post this
afternoon. Please bring it with you when you meet me at
eight - if you still care to do so."
HE rapidly reads the letter.
Christ, "Ever yours, Mary Barfoot".
Later.
EVERARD, RHODA.
120
EVERARD
Well, Rhoda, what have you to say to me?
RHODA
I? Nothing.
EVERARD
You mean it's my business to explain what Mary has told
you? I can't, so there's an end to it.
RHODA
If you can't explain this letter, who can?
EVERARD
I suppose Mrs. Widdowson. It seems you forget what passed
between us yesterday. You asked me a certain plain
question and I gave you an equally plain answer.
RHODA
I remember.
What can this letter mean? Why did she go to your rooms.
EVERARD BARFOOT
I don't know.
RHODA NUNN
She's never been there before?
EVERARD
Never to my knowledge.
RHODA
When did you last see her?
121
EVERARD
No, I won't be cross-examined. You don't believe me. Say
it and let us understand each other.
RHODA
I believe you could explain her behavior if you chose.
EVERARD
The story of that girl Amy Drake has predisposed you to
believe the worst things of me. Mary seems to have given
you mere dark hints.
RHODA
No, she has told me the details.
EVERARD
From their point of view. Very well; that saves me a lot
of narrative. The girl simply threw herself into my arms,
on a railway journey, when we met by pure chance.
RHODA
I don't care to hear that.
EVERARD
Sexual pride won't let you believe me. The man must
necessarily be the villain and he who would mislead an
innocent girl and then cast her off is likely to be
guilty in a case like this of Mrs. Widdowson. There is
only my word in each instance. The question is RHODA
I don't refuse to take your word. I only say your name
must be cleared. Mr. Widdowson is sure to tell the story
to other people. Why has his wife left him?
EVERARD
I neither know nor care.
122
RHODA
You must prove to me you're not the cause.
EVERARD BARFOOT
I shall not make the slightest effort to do so.
Silence.
It seems I better go and not trouble to return.
RHODA
That's for you to decide.
EVERARD
For you.
RHODA
I've said all that I EVERARD
You must be unconscious of how you're insulting me.
RHODA
I want only to understand what purpose Mrs. Widdowson
had in going to your rooms.
EVERARD
Then why not ask her?
RHODA
If she comes to me, I will hear her. But I will not
ask her.
123
EVERARD
Your view is that I should request her to wait upon
you for that purpose?
RHODA
There are others who can act for you.
EVERARD
Very well. Then we are at a deadlock. It seems to me
we had better shake hands like sensible people, and
say goodbye.
RHODA
Much better - if it seems so to you.
EVERARD
Goodbye, Rhoda.
SHE makes a show of taking his hand, but
says nothing. And so, THEY part.
EVERARD alone.
EVERARD
She will learn I am blameless.
She will submit.
She will submit perfectly.
She will shed tears.
I will raise her.
I will seat her in the place of honor.
I will fall down at her feet.
I will feel her soul with rapture.
RHODA nightmarish.
124
RHODA
I am Mr. Smithson's daughter/ I am Mr. Smithson's
lover/
Mr. Smithson, don't leave/ Everard Everard Everard Ev
my darling/ dirtydirty darlingdirty shit/I hate you/
darling/Smithson/Ev -dirty/leave
THE REASCENT.
MARY BARFOOT at home.
MARY BARFOOT
A letter I sent to Everard's address was answered,
after a week, from a place I never heard of Arromanches, in Normandy. He told me to mind my own
business. And there things stand.
MILDRED VESPER.
MILDRED
She ansewred from a new address. She said she had
left herhusband and would never go back to him. She
said it was no secret; that everyone knew.
MRS. COSGROVE.
MRS. COSGROVE
I always have a distinct feeling of pleasure when I
hear of married people parting. It isn't a malicious
pleasure; there's nothing personal in it. But
125
marriage in general is such a humbug - you forgive the
word.
MARY BARFOOT.
MARY BARFOOT (reading)
"I know and care nothing about Mrs. Widdowson. She either
did me a great injury or a great service, but I incline
tothe latter view." Rhoda, has it not occurred to you to
see Mrs. Widdowson yourself?
MRS. COSGROVE.
MRS. COSGROVE
She is ill, wretched and unwilling to talk. She mentioned
your name, and appeared very anxious to hear about you;
but when I asked whether she would like you to call she
grew timid all at once, and said she hoped you wouldn't
unless you really desired to see her.
MARY BARFOOT.
MARY (reading)
"Extreme liberality in this family, the Brissendens.
Agnes, the younger, reads half a dozen languages, and
shames me by her knowledge of all sorts of things. And
yet delightfully feminine."
RHODA.
RHODA
So Monica has done you a service and you are free to
devote yourself to Agnes Brissenden, with her six
126
languages, her .extreme liberality, her feminine charm. No
matter what you have done or not, if you love me, you
must woo me once more.
VIRGINIA MADDEN.
VIRGINIA
Monica is not guilty I can't explain that she won't tell
me how can you think Monica - She's had fainting fits.
Miss Nunn, Monica's in the family way. She is innocent. A
presentiment has fixed itself in her mind that she can't
live, and before the end she will tell everything. He was
dreadfully violent when he discovered she had gone to
Mr.Barfoot's. They were very very unhappy. Still, surely
she ought to return to him?
MARY, RHODA.
RHODA
I attach no importance to the marriage ceremony.
MARY
Then why did you insist upon it?
RHODA
Would you have received us?
MARY
Yes.
RHODA
Perhaps I never felt entire confidence in him.
I set a limit, a date. He has not met it. I have gone
past him.
127
THE BURDEN OF FUTILE SOULS.
BEVIS.
BEVIS
I regard myself as a criminal/I sent my sisters away/
may not our hearts remain/may we not think/time will
bea friend/forget each other we never/our unsullied
love
MONICA, VIRGINIA.
MONICA
Did you ask anything about Mr. Barfoot?
VIRGINIA
It was impossible. Whatever he may have said, they
evidently didn't believe it.
MONICA
And what did you tell her about me?
VIRGINIA
Everything that you said I might.
MONICA
It doesn't matter what you said.
VIRGINIA
Then why were you so particular to forbid me?
128
MONICA
It was better - but I don't care.
VIRGINIA
If I find at last that you've deceived me MONICA
Oh, do, do be quiet.
VIRGINIA
You are not very grateful.
MONICA
I can't be grateful. You must expect nothing from me.
A railroad station.
MONICA WIDDOWSON, MISS EADE.
MISS EADE
Are you married?
MONICA
Yes.
MISS EADE
Nobody that I know, I suppose?
MONICA
Quite a stranger to you.
129
MISS EADE
I'm waiting for my brother. He's a traveler for a
West End shop. You haven't seen nothing of Mr.
Bullivant?
MONICA
No, I haven't. Now I must say good-bye.
MISS EADE
You wouldn't mind telling me your married name?
MONICA
That really doesn't concern you.
MISS EADE
If you don't tell me, I'll follow you MONICA
Mrs. Widdowson.
MISS EADE
Are you telling me the truth?
MONICA
I have told you MISS EADE
You don't really know nothing about him?
MONICA
Nothing whatever.
MONICA leaves. MISS EADE hesitates, then
130
goes to a stranger, a man, and says a few
things. The man is seen to assent and the
two leave together.
EDMUND WIDDOWSON.
EDMUND
I hear that your elder sister is coming to London. Why
should she live here in lodgings, when a comfortable
houseis at the disposal of you all. Let me again entreat
you to go to Clevedon. I solemnly promise not to molest
you in anyway, not even by writing. If I could see you in
private, I should be able to give you a very good reason
why Virginia would benefit by the change.
ALICE, MONICA. VIRGINIA, drunk.
ALICE
0 Virgie, what is the matter? What does it mean?
MONICA
What have you been doing, Virgie?
VIRGINIA
It's only when I feel faint. Do you suppose I drink?
CONFESSION AND COUNSEL.
MONICA, ALICE.
ALICE
Monica, you are deceiving us all. You are guilty.
131
MONICA
Why do you say that?
ALICE
I know it. I have watched you. You betray yourself when
you are thinking. You don't care what becomes of your
sister. You are afraid to let your husband know of your
condition.
MONICA
That last is true.
ALICE
You confess it? O, Monica MONICA
I don't confess what you think. I am not a deceitful
woman. I can say that boldly. I love the truth better
than falsehood. If it weren't for that, I should never
have left home. A deceitful woman in my circumstances,
you don't understand them, would have cheated her husband
into forgiving her - such a husband as mine. Alice, I am
willing to make an agreement. If my husband will promise
never to come near Clevedon until I send for him, I will
go and live there with you and Virgie. If he will keep
his word, I pledge myself to let him know the whole truth
in less than a year.
ALICE
1'11 write him immediately.
RHODA, MONICA.
RHODA
I mustn't forget that I owe you thanks. You have done
what you felt was right in spite of all it cost you; and
132
you have very greatly relieved my mind. Of course it is
all a secret between us. If I make it understood that a
doubt is no longer troubling me, I shall never say how it
was removed.
MONICA
How I wish I had come before.
RHODA
For your own sake, if I have really helped you, I wish
you had. But as for anything else - it is much better as
it is.
MONICA
Goodbye.
RHODA
Till next summer.
MONICA
Till next summer.
THEY embrace and kiss. MONICA leaves.
We hear the voice of MONICA in RHODA'S mind.
MONICA’s Voice
If you try to imagine what it means for me to be speaking
like this - I am not shameless. I have suffered a great
deal before I could bring myself to come here and tell
you.If you were more human - if you tried to believe - it
isn't only that I've been falsely accused. I felt I must
tell you that Mr. Barfoot had never - that there was
nothing between us. What has he said? How did he meet the
charge Mr. Widdowson made against him.
RHODA
Simply by denying it.
133
RETREAT WITH HONOR.
MARY BARFOOT, EVERARD BARFOOT.
EVERARD
Let us take it for granted that I was rather harsh with
Rhoda. But suppose she still meets me with the remark
that things are just as they were - that nothing has been
explained.
MARY
I can't discuss your relations with Miss Nunn.
EVERARD
However, you defend your original action. Please admit
that I can't go to Mrs. Widdowson and request her to
publish a statement that I have never -
MARY
I shall admit nothing. I have advised you to see Miss
Nunn - if she is willing. And there's nothing more to be
said.
EVERARD
Good. I will write to her.
RHODA, EVERARD shaking hands.
EVERARD
I had made up my mind never to come until you let me know
that I was tried and acquitted. But after all, it is
better to have reason on one's side.
134
RHODA NUNN
Much better.
EVERARD BARFOOT
I suppose you never would have written to me?
RHODA
Never.
EVERARD
Because you are too proud, or because the mystery is
still a mystery?
RHODA
There is no longer any mystery.
EVERARD
Indeed? You have discovered what it all meant?
RHODA
Yes.
EVERARD
Well?
RHODA
I can say nothing about it, except that I know how the
misunderstanding arose.
EVERARD
Did it occur to you that it would be a kindness to make
me acquainted with this fact?
RHODA
I feel no uneasiness on your account.
135
EVERARD
You didn't care in the least how much I suffered?
RHODA
You misunderstand me. I felt sure you didn't suffer at
all.
EVERARD
You imagined me calm in the assurance that I should
some day be justified.
RHODA
I had every reason, otherwise, you would have given me
some sign.
EVERARD
It was not for me to give any sign.
RHODA NUNN
Yet you have said that it is well to have reason on
one's side.
EVERARD
All right, an approach was due from me. I have made
it. I am here. So we go back to our 'perfect day'.
RHODA
I shall never wish to forget it:
EVERARD
We stand as when we quitted each other that night - do
we?
RHODA
I think not.
136
EVERARD
What is the difference?
RHODA
You are changed. I thought I knew you; perhaps I did.
Now I should have to learn you all over again. It is
difficult, you see, for me to keep pace with you.
Your opportunities are so much wider.
EVERARD
I try not to waste my life. I have made new
acquaintances.
RHODA
Will you tell me about them?
EVERARD
Tell me first about yourself. You say you would never
have written to me. That means, I think, that you
never loved me. When you found that I had been
wrongly suspected, if you had loved me, you would
have asked forgiveness.
RHODA
I have a like reason for doubting your love. If you
had loved me, you could never have waited so long
without trying to remove the obstacle that was
between us.
EVERARD
It was you who put the obstacle there.
RHODA
No. An unlucky chance did that. Or a lucky one. Who
knows?
137
EVERARD
Let us imagine ourselves back at Seascale down by the
waves.
I repeat what I said then: Rhoda, will you marry me?
RHODA NUNN
You didn't say that then.
EVERARD BARFOOT
What do the words matter?
RHODA
That was not what you said. You speak of the 'perfect
day'.
Didn't it end before there was any word of marriage?
EVERARD
Who first used the word, Rhoda?
RHODA
Yes, I did.
EVERARD
Perhaps I was not quite serious when I RHODA
Not quite serious? Yes, I have thought that. And were
you quite serious in anything you said?
EVERARD
I loved you.
138
RHODA
Yet you wanted to see whether EVERARD
I loved you, that's all. And I believe I still love
you.
Will you marry me?
RHODA
I think you are 'not quite serious'.
EVERARD
I have asked you twice. I ask for the third time.
RHODA
I won't marry you with the forms of marriage.
EVERARD
Now it is you who play with a serious matter.
RHODA
I see now that our 'perfect day' was marred by my
weakness at the end. If you wish to go back in
imagination to that summer night, restore everything;
only let me be what I now am.
EVERARD BARFOOT
Impossible. It must be then or now for both of us.
RHODA NUNN
Legal marriage has acquired some new sanction for you
since then?
139
EVERARD
On the whole, perhaps it has.
RHODA
Naturally. But I shall never marry, so we will speak
no more of it.
EVERARD
In other words then, you have ceased to love me?
RHODA
Yes, I no longer love you.
EVERARD
Yet, if I had been willing to revive that fantastic
idealism - as you thought it RHODA
What was it?
EVERARD
I was so bent on making sure that you loved me.
RHODA (laughing)
After all, the perfection of our day was half makebelieve.
You never loved me with entire sincerity. And you –
will never love any woman - even as well as you loved
me.
EVERARD
Upon my soul, I believe it, Rhoda. And even now -
140
RHODA
And even now it is just possible for us to say
goodbye with something like friendliness. But not if
you talk longer.
Don't let us spoil it; things are so straight - and
clear.
SHE offers HIM her hand.
MICKLETHWAITE reading a letter.
MICKLETHWAITE
-
-
"I am about to do my duty
as you put it
that is,
to marry. The name of my future wife is Miss Agnes
Brissenden."
A NEW BEGINNING.
MRS. LUKE WIDDOWSON.
MRS. LUKE
The Othello business won't do. You couldn't have gone on
together, of course. You had to part for a time. You were
behaving absurdly, you know. If the child lives, she'll
be different. She has sowed her wild oats -'why shouldn't
a woman as well as a man? Go down to Clevedon and forgive
her. Just take things with a laugh - we have to.
Life's as you take it; all gloom or moderately shiny.
ALICE, VIRGINIA, EDMUND.
ALICE
At four this afternoon. A little girl.
141
VIRGINIA
She had to have chloroform.
EDMUND
And all's well?
ALICE
We think so, we hope so.
& VIRGINIA
EDMUND
She knows you sent for me?
ALICE
Yes, and we have something to give you. You were to have
this as soon as you arrived.
ALICE hands HIM an envelope.
ALICE and VIRGINIA leave.
ALICE and EDMUND.
ALICE
Not worse, I believe. But so very weak. Mayn't I take her
a word of forgiveness?
EDMUND
Yes, say I forgive her. She doesn't wish me to go to her?
ALICE shakes her head.
Then say I forgive her.
142
EDMUND. VIRGINIA rushes in weeping.
VIRGINIA
She's delirious!
EDMUND and ALICE.
ALICE
I shall undertake the care of the child.
EDMUND
You and Virginia may live where you prefer. The needs
of the three of you will be provided for.
ALICE
There's something more. Virginia wishes to go into an
institution.
RHODA NUNN with the baby.
I
RHODA
Poor little child! Dear little child!
ALICE enters. RHODA speaks to HER.
RHODA
And where is your sister?
143
ALICE
Staying with friends. She'll be back before long. And
as soon as baby can walk we are going to think very
seriously about the school. You remember?
RHODA
The school? You will really make the attempt?
ALICE
It will be so good for us both. Why, look, here is
one pupil growing for us.
RHODA
Make a brave woman of her.
ALICE
We will try - oh, we will try! And is your work as
successful as ever?
RHODA NUNN
More! We flourish like the green bay-tree. We shall have
to take larger premises. Miss Barfoot was never in such
health and spirits nor I myself. The world is moving!
ALICE MADDEN
It must be so - thrilling.
Please excuse me.
ALICE exits.
RHODA with the baby.
144
RHODA
Poor little child.
Things are so straight
The End.
- and
clear.